Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has played down the chances of securing back-to-back promotions despite the Stags’ excellent start to the season.
The Nottinghamshire-based outfit secured a place in League One for the first time in 21 years last season after finishing third in League Two. They were largely tipped to struggle this season but Clough’s side continue to impress.
Mansfield have lost just two league games thus far – a 4-1 reverse against Lincoln City in August and a 1-0 home defeat to Stevenage in October. This has left them sitting comfortably in fourth, one point behind Wrexham, who have played a game more.
The two sides meet at the SToK Racecourse this weekend in a clash which could be deemed a potential six-pointer.
“We Are Not Miracle Workers”
Despite Mansfield’s excellent form, Clough has been quick to play down the Stags’ chances of back-to-back promotions. Speaking to Mansfield and Ashfield Chad, the former Burton Albion boss said:
“The job has gone in stages in terms of getting up. We probably took a season too long to get up. There are circumstances behind that but now we are up we need to go and consolidate ourselves and try and establish ourselves as a good League One club.
“You build from there and then you have a chance of threatening the top six for promotion.
“We are not miracle workers and it will take time. You have the foundations in place then so when someone else comes in they have a good basis to take the club forward.
“We (Clough and assistant manager Andy Garner) won’t be here in ten years time. You want to leave the club in a better position than when you arrived.”
Writer’s View
Whilst nobody is seriously considering Mansfield as serious promotion contenders, there’s no denying that their form since joining the League One ranks has been excellent. Clough will continue to downplay their chances but getting any kind of result against Wrexham on Saturday will raise a few eyebrows.
The 58-year-old admits that there is a chance of breaking into the top six should they continue in the manner they are. However, they will be more than delighted with just consolidating their place in the division at this stage.
Head of Writing
